Upcycled Denim Hot Pad and Oven Mitt

Are you ready for some more upcycled denim project ideas? I’m excited to share this unique set of kitchen textiles I crafted as a gift for my mom. The hot pad and oven mitt are made from upcycled denim and feature Northwoods designs of pine trees and a black bear. Not only are these pieces functional, but they also carry a touch of rustic charm that matches my mom’s kitchen and home design.

As an advocate for sustainability, I often look for creative ways to repurpose materials and textiles from my stash. I turned to old denim scraps from no longer used jeans for this hot pad and oven mitt project. Upcycling denim reduces waste and adds character to the final product with its varying shades and textures. Denim fabric is cotton, making it an excellent choice for pieces that will come into contact with high heat. Denim is also heavy-duty and machine-washable, which are both bonuses to me.

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A Northwoods-Inspired, Upcycled Denim Sewing Project

This pair is a custom set for my mom’s kitchen that’s nestled in the Northwoods of Minnesota, United States. When I found this copper fabric in my stash, I knew it begged to be used in something handmade for Mom. Each stitch was sewn with care and attention to detail, knowing that these pieces would bring warmth and comfort to my mom’s kitchen.

Her kitchen has a beautiful copper backsplash surrounded by custom pine and ash woodwork. You will find more Northwoods charm in her home with decor accents of Minnesota fish, black bears, deer, and trophy wall mounts. Outside her home are acres of land that offer nearly never-ending sights and sounds of nature. The custom-made home is surrounded by acres of dense forest land covered in tall pine trees, native wildflowers, and ponds filled with wildlife. You will surely catch a beautiful, uninterrupted sunset any time of the year.

Potholder and Oven Mitt Sewing Pattern

The hot pad is a 9″ x 9″ square and does not require a sewing pattern. The front and back design layers were sewn and quilted, then cut into 9 1/2″ squares.

Create your own custom oven mitt sewing pattern by tracing a mitten shape around your hand and adding at least an inch around the sides. This will provide enough room for the seam allowance, bulk of the layers, and some room to move and bend the oven mitt while wearing.

Custom Northwoods Designs

The handmade potholder and oven mitt was made using different shades of denim and some metallic copper fabric scraps. I arranged the various pieces to resemble a sunset behind the black silhouette designs. I added quilted stitching to give further the idea of the sun rays that stretch above a sunset.

The pine tree and black bear design is a custom design that I created in Adobe Illustrator. After sketching out the designs on paper, I created the digital version in Illustrator and printed it. The designs were then transferred onto wool felt and cut out.

If you want to use this exact pine tree and black bear design, please email me.

RELATED: I upcycle a lot! Check out all of my featured Upcycled Sewing Projects here.

The backside of both the hot pad and oven mitt are just blue denim with quilted stitching. Black bias tape were used to finish the edges and create a hanging loop for both the hot pad and oven mitt

Materials Used:

• denim scraps from other upcycled jeans projects
• wool felt fabric
• metallic copper fabric scrap
• cotton bias tape
• Insul-bright
• cotton quilt batting
• cotton thread

Best Materials for Making Hot Pads or Oven Mitts

Fabric

When selecting fabric for oven mitts, it’s essential to prioritize heat resistance, durability, and ease of cleaning. Other things to consider are comfort, flexibility, and grip to ensure a functional and practical design. Experimenting with different fabric combinations can help you find the perfect balance of performance and aesthetics for your oven mitts.

Cotton is the most common fabric used for the exposed parts of handmade oven mitts and hot pads. While cotton is not fire resistant, it will not melt when it comes into contact with hot dishes straight out of the oven.

Insulation

Insulation layers are between the hot pad and oven mitt’s outer layers. I used one layer of cotton batting and one layer of Insul-bright Thermal Insulation Lining. Alternatively, you can use two layers of cotton batting or one layer of an insulated lining material like Insul-bright.

Other Material Considerations

Make sure to use cotton thread and cotton bias tape for the edging. If you add felt applique designs, like the tree and bear designs I’ve added to this upcycled denim pair, make sure to use wool felt, as polyester felt will melt with heat.

Matching Upcycled Denim Christmas Tree Wine Topper

As a family of denim wearers, my bin of denim jeans ready for upcycling is on a constant refill. With more denim scraps I made this Denim Christmas Tree Wine Bottle Topper for mom. The bottle cover uses three shades of blue denim with touches of copper and navy thread and copper-colored rivets.

RELATED: Have you seen this collection of 30+ Upcycled Denim Project Ideas

With so many mass-produced goods available for purchase, there’s something special about creating handmade items with a story to tell, and even more so when they are made with someone specific in mind. These upcycled denim oven mitts and hot pads showcase my passion for sewing and creativity and embody the spirit of sustainability and love. I hope this handmade project inspires you to embark on your sewing adventures and make something for someone special in your life.

Have you made upcycled denim hot pads, pot holders, or oven mitts? Tag @scratchandstitch on your social channels so I can share your work! :)